News outlets report on the start of a three-day lockdown in Sierra Leone, as the nation attempts to educate residents about and contain the Ebola outbreak.

Agence France-Presse: Sierra Leone launches controversial Ebola shutdown
“Sierra Leone on Friday launched a controversial three-day shutdown to contain the deadly spread of the Ebola virus, as the U.N. Security Council declared the deadly outbreak a threat to world peace…” (MacJohnson, 9/19).

Associated Press: Sierra Leone to shut down for 3 days to slow Ebola
“In a desperate bid to slow West Africa’s accelerating Ebola outbreak, Sierra Leone ordered its six million people confined to their homes for three days starting Friday while volunteers conduct a house-to-house search for victims in hiding…” (Roy-Macaulay, 9/18).

NPR: In Sierra Leone, A Lockdown … Or A Time To Reflect?
“Starting just after midnight [Thursday], residents of Sierra Leone will be confined to their homes for a three-day lockdown. It’s the latest government plan meant to stem the tide of Ebola cases, which exceeded 1,500 last week in Sierra Leone. But the plan has not won the support of the international medical community — and is causing concern among Sierra Leoneans as well…” (Bichell, 9/18).

Reuters: Fear and hope as Sierra Leone braces for three-day Ebola lockdown
“…Sierra Leone’s government says extreme measures are needed to try to contain the world’s worst outbreak of Ebola on record but many fear it will bring more hardship to a nation that is already one of the poorest on earth. Critics also question whether it will even be effective…” (Fofana, 9/18).

UNICEF: Sierra Leone launches three-day, door-to-door Ebola prevention campaign
“An ambitious public information campaign aiming to reach every household in Sierra Leone with life-saving messages on Ebola will take place 19-21 September in a bid to reduce the spread of the disease with the help of community members. UNICEF has provided the government-led campaign with technical and financial support, including information materials…” (9/18).